The court, on its own motion, may refer to an arbitrator any civil action in which, in the discretion of the court, the reasonable expectation of a judgment is less than $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs and in which a claim for a trial by jury and a certificate of closed pleadings have been filed. An award under this section shall not exceed $50,000, exclusive of legal interest and costs. Any party may petition the court to participate in the arbitration process hereunder.
Section 23-61.—Referral of Cases to Arbitrators
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceLets the court, on its own motion, send a civil action worth less than $50,000 to an arbitrator once a jury claim and certificate of closed pleadings are filed, capping any resulting award at that amount.
Full Text of Section 23-61
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 546N.) (Amended June 29, 1998, to take effect Jan. 1, 1999.)
Plain-English Summary
This rule describes when a case lands in Connecticut's arbitration program. The court, acting on its own motion, may refer any civil action where it judges the reasonable expectation of a judgment to be less than $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Referral requires that the parties have already filed a claim for a jury trial and a certificate of closed pleadings — in other words, the case must be ready for trial before it can be diverted to arbitration.
Any award the arbitrator makes cannot exceed $50,000, exclusive of legal interest and costs, matching the ceiling used to decide whether the case qualified for referral in the first place. A party who wants to take part in the arbitration process may also petition the court directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of cases get referred to arbitration under this rule?
Civil actions the court believes, in its discretion, have a reasonable expectation of a judgment under $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and in which the parties have already filed a jury claim and a certificate of closed pleadings.
Is there a cap on what an arbitrator can award?
Yes. An award under this section cannot exceed $50,000, exclusive of legal interest and costs.
Can a party request arbitration, or is it only the court's choice?
The referral itself is made on the court's own motion, but any party may petition the court to participate in the arbitration process.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 23-61). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
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